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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jodyjohnson" data-source="post: 7246505" data-attributes="member: 5590">I'm going to use Int as an example.Between 2 and 3 Int a character gains the ability to speak (Feeblemind or animal to human range intelligence)It is pretty common for characters with a certain Int to not be able to read - then 1 point higher they can read.  Maybe Grog going from Int 6 to Int 7.Going from 1 in a stat to zero usually indicates going from somewhat functional to non-functional.So there are other examples where there is a jump in ability from a single stat point.But backing up, one of the original thoughts was that some DMs were already changing the DC based on some traits or ability and my thought was to nail it down mechanically so a player would know when I make the decision on changing the DC.  Since +2 ability bonus is the same as Proficiency at 1st it seemed a natural point to say - if you have a +2 you have natural ability that would provide the same quantum leap in ability that proficiency would.To reiterate I'm operating more under the middle path when results on both ends are fiat and the dice are only rolled when the result is in doubt.  If one preferred the 'dice decide' route then it doesn't really apply because one might want the linear scale rather than having the big jump between +1 or lower and +2 or higher or prof.For knowing when to change the DC for the minority number of static DC checks, the player says their bonus when they declare actions.  If it is +1 or lower I know that it doesn't change but if it is +2 or higher it would require a 14+ stat or proficiency (not precisely - from 1st to 4th level a character could take a prof with a -1 stat but does that really happen?).Again, the -5 to DC only applies to static checks and not opposed checks, or degree of success checks.  The majority of these are Lore checks.  Most of the other checks for stats are opposed checks or determine degrees of success.To simplify:Expertise: you can apply your proficiency bonus in place of your stat bonus (effectively double prof instead of stat+prof).On ability checks with a Static DC, the DM has the discretion to raise the DC if your bonus is only +1 or lower to represent lack of ability or proficiency.  (I agree that maybe reversing it would be more intuitive but maybe that tends too much toward punishing low stats instead of rewarding higher stats).</blockquote>

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